King James Bible
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."
David acknowledges God's protective deliverance as a defensive weapon in battle. The shield metaphor emphasizes that salvation is not merely abstract but provides concrete defense against life's threats, reflecting David's military context where shields meant survival. God's right hand—symbolizing power and favor in Hebrew thought—actively sustains David from falling. This image portrays divine support as both personal and continuous, suggesting God doesn't merely rescue but maintains ongoing strength. Paradoxically, it is God's gentleness (or humility/condescension in some translations) rather than might that elevates David to greatness. This surprising attribution reveals that true exaltation comes through God's tender, stooping care rather than raw power.